*Lil Wayne lighter flick and inhale*
B-Side
What’s the 411?
Eleven years after its initial release, streaming platforms welcome Lil Wayne’s mixtape, No Ceilings! The streaming version of the mixtape features just 12 of the original 21 tracks (imagine actually clearing all of those samples), but you can always download the full mixtape from Datpiff.
Megan Thee Stallion will be hosting a live virtual concert on Saturday, August 29th, produced by Live Nation. You can get a ticket for $15 here. JaQuel Knight, known for choreographing Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" and Coachella performances, is the creative director, so I'm expecting a performance.
Fans and artists celebrated Aaliyah’s life on the 19th anniversary of her death. Her estate posted the following announcement on Instagram:
To our loyal fans: We are excited to announce that communication has commenced between the estate and various record labels about the status of Aaliyah’s music catalogue, as well as its availability on streaming platforms in the near future. Thank you for your continued love and support. More updates to come!
We’ve heard announcements like this over the past few years though, so don’t get your hopes up too much.
Artists raced to drop new music on the last 'New Music Friday' eligible for next year's GRAMMY Awards. The eligibility period for the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards ends Monday, August 31st, which means we have just about listened to all of the music that can win GRAMMYs in 2021… If it feels like there's been an influx in music releases over the last week or so, this is why.
That New-New
Just a sample of new music that dropped:
“Like Wayne, I got no ceilings. Where is the ceilings? I see no ceilings.”
*Missy Elliot yelling “NEW JAZMINE”* “Lost One” is the first new music we’ve heard from Jazmine Sullivan since her album, Reality Show, in 2015. With understated production, her vocals shine through. Once again, she is showing the girls how it’s done.
“If it ain't Nipsey blue, it's Detroit blue
This that Detroit 2, I'm bringin' it back to my hood like D-Boys do”
I hope we get a live performance of this song with H.E.R. on the guitar because this is *chef’s kiss*.
I didn’t know I needed Tiwa and Sam on a track together until this dropped. Sam Smith is finally sounding like the old Sam Smith again 🙏🏾.
Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch return as The LOX after four years with their highly anticipated Living Off Xperience album.
Nao’s back!
Giveon lends his vocals to cover D’Angelo’s 2000 song “Untitled” and he does not miss.
From the Archives
In a 2001 interview with MTV Stripped, Aaliyah gets personal and shares everything about her life from her nicknames and favorite singles of all time (listen to Bittersweet by Lewis Taylor) to one of her biggest fears and a few of her most embarrassing moments.
The Credits
Shoutout to you if you’ve been rocking with this newsletter since day 1 (it’s been one month already!) and s/o to my new subscribers. I’ll see yall next week. As always, share this week’s issue with a friend.